title: The interpretation of lineage markers in forensic DNA testing.
abstract: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome are inherited matrilinealy and patrilinealy, respectively, and without recombination. Collectively they are termed 'lineage markers'. Lineage markers may be used in forensic testing of an item, such as a hair from a crime scene, against a hypothesised source, or in relationship testing. An estimate of the evidential weight of a match is usually provided by a count of the occurrence in some database of the mtDNA or Y-STR haplotype under consideration. When the factual statement of a count in the database is applied to a case, issues of relevance of the database and sampling uncertainty may arise. In this paper, we re-examine the issues of sampling uncertainty, the relevance of the database, and the combination of autosomal and lineage marker evidence. We also review the recent developments by C.H. Brenner.
authors.affiliation: ESR Ltd, Private Bag 92021, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Buckleton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krawczak
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Weir
mesh_terms: D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D030561:Databases, Nucleic Acid; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008957:Models, Genetic; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D005819:Genetic Markers